The pen is truly mightier than the sword

 

5 stars

The CIA Book Club is a real testament to the determination of the Polish people, and beyond, to conquer communism not with violence but with literature. The pen is truly mightier than the sword. A powerful story of the efforts of many to deliver critical thinking and popular culture books and magazines behind the iron curtain. Not just that but also setting up printing presses in secret and delivering the goods and product needed for printing and distribution. Real-life spy stuff in a gripping, informative format. Equally heartbreaking and humurous, at times, a warts-and-all text that cast light on this fearsome effort.

So many heroes of this fight against the suffocating oppression of communism, The CIA Book Club may have been financed by the Americans but the wider cast of characters taking risks was extraordinary. I knew nothing about this massive endeavour to destabilise the fake news of communism in a passive but potent way. Well worth reading.